2011-2012 DrillNATION
Transcription
2011-2012 DrillNATION
One World, One Spirit, One Passion... 2011-2012 Edition This publication contains your official school invitation to attend the all-service National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. Come as a competitor or spectator and be a part of this drill celebration weekend! DrillNATION Official Publication of the Internationally Recognized JROTC Drill & Ceremony Spectacular, the... National High School Drill Team Championships 2012 Nationals Drill Camp - June 16th - June 23rd information sheet 4 2011 Air Force Nationals - Eastern & Western Championships event wrap-up 6 2011 Army Nationals - Eastern & Western Championships event wrap-up 7 2012 OPSAIL Invitational Drill Championships information sheet 8 2011 Navy Nationals - Academic, Athletic & Drill Championships event wrap-up 9 2010 Raider Nationals event wrap-up 10 2012 National High School Drill Team Championships Daytona Beach, Florida / May 5th - 7th, 2012 invitation 12 2011 Nationals - Challenge Level / Open Level CG event wrap-up 14 2011 Challenge Level Results & Roster of Schools results 15 2011 Nationals - Masters Level Overview event wrap-up 16 2011 Masters Level Results & Roster of Schools results 18 No Bucks, No Buck Rogers! article 20 Best of the 2011 Nationals - Video Series dvd order form 23 Scrapbook general info 26 Editor-in-Chief Sharron Ritch Contributing Articles Jennifer Ladd Justin Gates Layout & Editing Sharron Ritch Samantha Ste.Claire Contributing Photography D. Michael Martinez Justin Gates COVER Ronald Reagan HS Diamondback drill team Cadet Commander Miranda De Llano proudly accepts the Nationals Spirit Banner from U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Director COL Hubert E. Bagley at the Masters Level Awards Ceremony in Daytona Beach, Florida. MAGAZINE DEDICATION With troop deployments that stretch across the globe, the 2011-12 DrillNATION Magazine is dedicated to both the active duty and reserve components of our American Armed Forces, along with the National Guard. These brave and selfless individuals continue to provide the blanket of freedom that Americans enjoy every day. Thousands of cadets and instructors who have attended the Nationals in the past are currently serving around the globe in all branches of the armed forces, helping to protect the interests of the United States of America. SNI is honored by their commitment to duty and wish them all a safe and speedy return home when they complete their mission. Sports Network International thanks the many exhibitors who help make the Nationals a special home for JROTC drill: Coast Guard Academy, Country Meats, Daisy Outdoor Products, ERAU Air Force ROTC, For the Art, Georgia Military College, Glendale Industries, ID Me Fun Tags, Marion Military Institute, Navy ROTC Scholarship, North Georgia College, Norwich University, Reactor Tactical, Savannah State University, St. John’s NW Military Academy, Strayer University, Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, University of Florida Army ROTC, US Army Recruiting Command and Virginia Tech. DrillNATION is the official publication of the National High School Drill Team Championships. DrillNATION is produced by Sports Network International, Inc. (SNI), 775 Fentress Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL, 32114. For information regarding DrillNATION or Sports Network Int’l (SNI), please visit the SNI homepage at: http://drill.thenationals.net or contact SNI via email: [email protected] or call toll-free at 800/327-9311. HELD IN THE HEARTLAND OF MILITARY DRILL EXCELLENCE Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas J ROTC cadets can th rd now be a part of a one-of-a-kind military drill experience! A week-long, full immersion camp that is fully focused on all things drill! Trained by world-caliber judges, instructors & former national champion cadets, attendees will learn what it takes to become the best...period! Nationals Drill Camp cadets spend seven days of intensive drill training on the ground and in the classroom, learning all the tools to create a championship drill team. Whether you want to become the best unit in your county, your state or the entire nation, we can get you there. june 16 to juNE 23 , 2012 Come hungry to learn … AND Leave ready to compete with the best! “I just wanted to say thank you for all the help and support at camp. I was made the Weisbaden Armed Exhibition Commander for this past Drill Season. We competed in our one and only drill competition in Ramstein, Germany, the European Drill Championships. I didn’t fully understand how much the camp did for me until that moment. We brought a whole new style to Europe. We went from last place to first place IN ONE YEAR! “I took 15 students from North Side HS Thanks again for everything you do for along with all the knowledge we learned the betterment and promotion of drill at Drill Camp, to one of our local drill worldwide.” meets. The judges kept saying they have - Cadet Hickman, Wiesbaden, Germany * Cadets may attend individually or in groups and are housed two-per-room in a college dorm setting. * Instructors may elect one or two-per-room billeting. * JROTC instructors are encouraged to attend for continuing education credit and learn as well. Program tips, full safety training, and other supplemental training and materials will have you better prepared to manage your program and your drill team. * NDC instructors are drawn from the finest JROTC programs in the world, along with select Nationals judges, JROTC instructors, former cadets and worldclass experts in drill & ceremonies. * Training includes basic & advanced classes within Inspection, Regulation Drill, Color Guard & Exhibition. Additional classes will be taught on exhibition routine creation, team dynamics & leadership, the pursuit of excellence, drill season mechanics & organization and many other related topics. Cadets choose an “emphasis” to receive additional detailed instruction & practice time. * The cadets will have FUN with several team building and leadership exercises, along with skills & movie night and other activities to make the week fly by! "My wife and I are impressed with the SNI organization. Because of your efforts, we were able to greet Joy at the airport with a big smile on her face. She was surprised and proud that she received special recognition at the awards dinner. She typically underestimates her ability and your camp helped strengthen her self-confidence. Keep up the good work!” - Mr. Andres, parent OFFICIAL NDC CAMP SPONSOR Quotes from past attendees... “No where else will you ever be able to spend one week gathering knowledge about a subject you’re passionate about, DRILL, from people who share your same passion. From the moment you step on camp grounds, you become a family. And that’s the reason for camp, to come together as a family and do something we all love.” - Cadet Flores, Edcouch, Texas “My experience at drill camp was amazing. Everyone was surprised about how much I had changed in just a week. My instructor was very pleased as was I. Next year, four girls will be attending the camp. I’m so glad I had this experience “This was a life-changing experience for me. It was the before graduating.” best thing I could have done with my summer. Meeting the Thank you to all! greatest drillers with the King’s Guard really changed Cadet Ayala, me!” - Cadet Wernecke, Oak Harbor, Washington Houston, Texas "I just wanted to thank you again for putting together this incredible event! My son is still talking about the things he learned, friendships he made and plans to attend again. You all are truly a remarkable team.“ - B. Young, parent never seen anything like our kids and how impressed they were with everything they did. I told them the best money I’ve ever spent was going to the National’s Drill Camp!" - CMSgt. Barron, AFJROTC Cadet & Instructor Tuition Packages start at just $ 799! For further information on the Nationals Drill Camp, Contact Sports Network International email: [email protected] website: http://www.drillcamp.net toll-free: 800/327-9311 4 Visit the NATIONALS drill camp website for MORE details! T he Air Force Nationals Western Division took a trip a little further west this year to Phoenix, Arizona. The Valley of the Sun proved a perfect venue to showcase the amazing talents of the Air Force JROTC cadets from eight states across the Western US. Teams traveled from as far away as Washington State and Hawaii to attend this premier gathering of drill and ceremony excellence. Although the field of competition was filled with many first-time attending schools, both John Jay HS and Thomas C. Clark HS made the long trek from San Antonio to defend their status as Air Force Nationals royalty. Both schools have finished at the top for the last several years and they were not about to allow a change in location to keep them out of contention. ARMED DIVISION All eyes were on the Silver Eagles from John Jay HS and the Centurion Guard from Thomas C. Clark HS as the battle began. John Jay came out strong once again capturing first place in the always tough Inspection and Regulation events. Their second place finishes in Color Guard and Exhibition still gave them enough to capture the Armed Division Overall Championship trophy. This year, John Jay arrived with a JV team called the Marching Mustangs and early on it looked as if they might edge out Thomas C. Clark from taking home the Runner Up trophy. The Marching Mustangs were able to capture four trophies of their own, even Invading the Valley of the Sun with a sea of Air Force Blue The creative world of drill always shines at the Eastern & Western Air Force Nationals! Official Sponsor AF Western Championships - Phoenix, Arizona besting their sister team with a first place in Exhibition. However, when the scores were tallied, the Centurion Guard held on to the Runner Up position with a first place in Color Guard, a second in Inspection, third in Exhibition and fifth in Regulation. Deer Valley HS Silver Hawks from Glendale, Arizona also made their presence known by taking home four trophies (2nd Regulation, 4th Color Guard, 5th Inspection and Exhibition). UNARMED DIVISION Armed and Unarmed Champions and Runner up cadets from John Jay HS and Thomas C. Clark HS proudly display their trophies presented by Mr. John Toohey, Southwest Region President of the Air Force Association. He gave an inspiring keynote speech during the Awards Ceremony. The Unarmed Division looked like it might be a repeat of the Armed Division placements, but with only 11 points out of a possible 4000 separating the top two, Thomas C. Clark HS Silver Valor reigned supreme. They took home first in Regulation and Exhibition and second in Inspection and although they did not trophy in Color Guard, their overall scores were high enough to keep them in the top spot. John Jay HS Snap II stayed right on their heels by snagging first in Inspection and Color Guard, second in Regulation and fifth in Exhibition. Both schools came to dominate and made sure to do just that. Air Academy Centurion Guard from USAFA, Colorado came in third overall with strong finishes in Color Guard (2nd) and Regulation (3rd). Although they did not trophy in the other two events, their overall strength placed them at a solid third place overall. All cadets that participated showed Phoenix what drill is all about. Congratulations to all of the teams that competed. AF Eastern Championships - Landover, Maryland to the top as the competitors to beat this year with impressive performances in three out of the four events. But when the scores were tallied, Franklin K. Lane Black Knights were victorious, taking home first place Regulation and Color Guard, second place Exhibition and the Armed Division Overall Title. Oxon Hill ExecuArmed Champion and Runner Up, Franklin K. Lane HS and Oxon Hill HS tion was close on their heels along with Unarmed Champion and Runner Up, Tift County HS and Oxon with a first place in InspecHill HS cadets pose with Mr. Greg Winn, Deputy Director AFJROTC and tion, third in Regulation, and keynote speaker, Mr. Joe Har dy, AFA Mar yland State Pr esident. fourth in Color Guard which ir Force Blue was out in force in our was enough for them to receive the Overall Nation’s Capital as high schools from all Runner Up trophy this year. over the east coast sent teams to battle for the illustrious and elusive Overall Eastern UNARMED DIVISION Championship trophy. Twenty-five schools were in the running for the overall title in the Unarmed Division ARMED DIVISION and trophy placements were all over the All eyes were on Lackey HS this year as the board. But only two schools showed true returning champion, wondering if 2010 was consistency by placing in the top five in the beginning of a new dynasty. Although the three or more events. Ruff Ryders came out strong and captured a second place Regulation and fourth place Tift County HS Devil’s Honor Guard capExhibition, they were not strong enough to tured first in Color Guard, second in Reguhold on to the title as they finished in third lation and fourth in Inspection and Exhibition which placed them solidly at the top place overall. and earned them the Unarmed Division Franklin K. Lane HS and Oxon Hill HS rose Overall Championship title. A 6 The fight this year was for the Runner Up title. Although Sandalwood HS Silver Eagles took first in Exhibition and second in Color Guard, their tough finishes in both Inspection and Regulation kept them away from the Runner Up trophy by a mere seven points out of 4000. Oxon Hill HS Blue Guard was able to sneak into the second place overall spot even though they did not trophy higher than fourth in any event with an overall strong showing. Their fourth place Regulation and Color Guard and fifth place Exhibition was just consistent enough that they were able to claim the Unarmed Runner Up title this year. In 2012, the Air Force Nationals will combine East and West into one true National Championship which will be hosted at the Macon Centreplex in Macon, Georgia on Saturday, March 17th. This will be a great fight as the best of the best gather to battle for supreme bragging rights within the world of Air Force JROTC. Make your plans today to be a part of this Air Force spectacular! For scoring results, photos & info: http://af.thenationals.net U.S. ARMY CADET CADET COMMAND A change of venue doesn’t phase any of these Army JROTC cadets! P Western Championships hoenix, Arizona was the place to be this year for the U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Western Drll Championships! The desert location brought out several schools that had not attended in past years and with several heavy-hitters absent, the championship trophies were up for grabs. Armed Overall Champions Claudia Taylor Johnson HS and Runner Up James Madison HS (left) and Unarmed Overall Champions Theodore Roosevelt HS and Runner Up James Madison HS (right) pose with CSM Hershel Turner, Cadet Command CSM, MSG John Garrison, Arizona State University ROTC Senior Military Instructor, and COL Hubert E. Bagley, Director of Army JROTC. ARMED DIVISION Last year’s Runner Up, James Madison HS Maverick Guard was ready to take home the gold this year and they came very close with first place in Inspection, second place in Regulation and Exhibition and a third in Color Guard. However, the extremely tight scoring in both Color Guard and Exhibition allowed Claudia Taylor Johnson HS Liberty Guard to edge them out of the top spot by less than 40 points out of a total of 4000 possible points. Liberty Guard went home with first in Regulation, second in Inspection, fourth in Exhibition, and fifth in Color Guard. Manual Arts HS came to compete in only Exhibition and walked away with a convincing first place in that event. South Mountain HS also impressed with a first place finish in the Color Guard competition. UNARMED DIVISION The 2010 Runner Up, Theodore Roosevelt HS Riderettes came ready to fight hard for the top place after being denied last year. They hit the drill floor hard and handily captured first in the Inspection and Regulation events and second in Exhibition. Even a rough eighth place finish in Color Guard did not keep the Riderettes from realizing their dream of taking home the Unarmed Overall Championship! James Madison HS Lady Maverick Guard landed solidly in the Runner Up position with second in Inspection and third in both Regulation and Color Guard. The Johnson First Ladies from Claudia Taylor Johnson HS tried hard to join their armed counterparts as champions this year, but fell short with a second in Regulation, fourth in Exhibition, and fifth in Inspection, but it was enough to place them in third overall. A Eastern Championships trip to our Nation’s Capital is always thrilling and educational for anyone, then add in the exhilaration of competing at the U.S. Army Cadet Command JROTC Eastern Drill Championships and it is a trip full of once-in-a-lifetime memories. ARMED DIVISION All eyes were on multi-year champions Francis Lewis HS Patriot Guard to see if they could hang on to the championship spot. Hopes were high as trophies were awarded and the Patriot Guard only walked away with two trophies, first in Inspection and Regulation. It looked like Union HS Maroon Guard might usurp the former champions as they claimed second place finishes in Inspection, Regulation, and Color Guard. Even the North Miami Beach Sr. HS Chargers were hopeful with their first place in Color Guard, fourth in Regulation and fifth in Inspection. While the scores in Color Guard and Exhibition were tightly grouped, the Patriot Guard blew away the competition in both Inspection and Regulation. The final tallies showed Francis Lewis HS as Overall Champions, Union HS as Runner Up and North Miami Beach Sr. HS coming in third. The dynasty continues. UNARMED DIVISION After Francis Lewis HS Patriot Pride lost their title last year, they came back with a vengeance against reigning champion North Miami Beach Sr. HS Lady Chargers. Both teams captured two first places, one second place and one fourth place (Patriot Pride - 1st: Regulation & Exhibition, 2nd: Inspection, 4th: Color Guard; Lady Chargers - 1st: Inspection & Color Guard, 2nd: Exhibition, 4th: Regulation). But in the end, Francis Lewis reclaimed their crown by a mere 4 points out of 4000! It will be quite a fight when these two champions meet again. In conjunction with the Army Eastern Championships, the 4th Brigade Best of the Best Championships were held which encompasses both Armed and Unarmed events. Forestville MA walked away with the Best of the Best Overall Championship trophy. Ar med Overall Champions Francis Lewis HS and Runner Up Union HS (left) and Unarmed Overall Champions Francis Lewis HS and Runner Up North Miami Beach Sr. HS pose with keynote speaker LTC Jackielyn Lewis. After years of planning, the United States Army Cadet Command HQ has officially made the announcement that the Army Eastern & Western Championships have now been consolidated into a single service championship beginning in the Spring of 2012! The official home for this exciting new competition will be in the shadows of the new Ft. Knox Army JROTC Headquarters in beautiful Louisville, Kentucky. Get your school calendars set for the final Saturday in March annually! 2012U.S. u.S.Army armyCadet cadetCommand commandJROTC national championships 2012 Drilldrill Championships iNTERNATIONAL cONVENTION cENTER - Louisville, lOUISVILLE, kENTUCKY - sATURDAY, 31 marcH31, 20122012 Kentucky kENTUCKY International Convention Center, Kentucky ~ March For all event scoring, pictures & info, hit the Army Nationals website: http://army.thenationals.net 7 2012 OPSAIL INVITATIONAL NAVMAC ATHLETIC & DRILL CHAMPIONSHIPS 09-10 June, 2012 N Norfolk, Virginia Plan NOW to Make Your Navy or Marine Corps JROTC Unit a Part of the Most Exciting and Spectacular Naval Weekend Ever Assembled! BE A PART OF HISTORY YOU THAT YOUR CADETS WILL NEVER FORGET! The OpSail Invitational will be a TEN event competition held under Navy/Marine regs in the following areas: Unarmed Regulation Color Guard Armed Regulation Push-ups Unarmed Exhibition Curl-ups Armed Exhibition Tug-of-War Parade Display Team Inspection N The event is open to all Navy & Marine Corps JROTC schools! N The event will be limited to 25 JROTC units. N The event is held all day on Saturday and early Sunday with the awards presented Sunday afternoon. N Schools looking to enter MUST contact SNI to secure their competition slot and then complete registration on-line. N SNI will obtain discounted rooms and group meals for attending teams on-site. Just a $100 entry fee plus $10 per cadet with all competitors receiving a shirt & chest medal! WHAT MAKES THE WEEKEND SPECIAL? Operation Sail, Inc. (OpSail) and the U.S. Navy announce that Norfolk, Virginia will commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the birth of The Star-Spangled Banner with OpSail 2012, the nation’s largest gathering of tall ships and naval vessels (nearly 1,000 total), as well as the Blue Angels flight demonstration team, and a select invitational athletic & drill competition for 25 Navy/Marine Corps units from throughout the Eastern United States. Over 250,000 people are expected to attend this unprecedented Naval display. OpSail events incorporate stops at key historic ports to showcase tall ships and warships from around the world. OpSail will be the largest gathering of Naval excellence from around the world! Make plans to be a part of the fun today! http://www.opsail2012virginia.com/ 8 give your young cadets a chance to be part of history! Contact SNI now to get your school’s name on the exclusive list of 2012 opsail competitors. 2012 opsail invitational athletic & drill championships Event Manager Sports Network International 800/327-9311 - [email protected] web) http://opsail.thenationals.net NAVY NATIONALS Bridesmaid No More! After fighting for years, the title finally makes its way to South Florida. http://navy.thenationals.net T wenty-five Navy JROTC schools descended on NAS Pensacola in early April with the intention of fighting for the overall Navy Nationals Championship title and bragging rights for the next year. Amid rumors of a government-wide shutdown at midnight on the first day of the competition, instructors, Area Managers, and the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) were hard at work trying to figure out a contingency plan that would have the least impact on the competition. Marine Judges from Rhode Island flew home on Friday to make sure they didn’t get stuck in Florida without a way home if the furlough went through leaving the entire Saturday drill portion of the competition without judges. However, Marines from Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 stationed locally volunteered their time with no notice to make sure that the cadets were able to compete in all facets of the competition. Due to this selfless act by these Marines, the competition was not affected by the impending furlough. The only noticeable change was that the Awards Ceremony was moved from the National Museum of Naval Aviation to the main drill floor in the hangar at Chevalier Hall. The schedule was not changed and the cadets were able to keep their eyes focused on the gold. All units strive to be the one that brings home the top prize in the all-important Unit Personnel Inspection. This single event accounts for 27% of the total overall points that determines the National Champion. If a school does not perform well in UPI, their chances of taking home the overall title are almost non-existent. Every participating cadet stands Inspection and is asked questions to test their knowledge. Not only does their uniform have to be perfect, they have to maintain their composure and bearing under the intense scrutiny. Boca Raton HS aced the UPI by more than 40 points over Troy HS with Centennial HS coming in third, George Bush HS fourth, and Westview HS rounded out the top five. These five schools placed themselves in a good position to make a run for the championship. After Unit Personnel Inspection on Friday the cadets competed in the athletic portion of the competition. Everyone expected Centennial HS and Shawnee Mission North HS to be at the top of the athletic leader board like they were in 2010 and they both received two athletic team trophies each (Centennial: 4th-Push Ups, 4th-Oval Relay and Shawnee Mission: 1st-Curl Ups, 1st-Push Ups) but they ended up in third and fourth place overall due to weak placements in other events. Union Grove HS, a school that hasn’t shown recent athletic prowess, dominated in the Shuttle Relay (1st place) and the Oval Relay (2nd place) and captured fourth place in Curl Ups. This put them solidly in first place overall followed very closely by Flanagan HS who also captured three team trophies (2nd-Curl Ups, 5th-Push Ups, 5th-Oval Relay). Although they did not place in the top five, both Escambia HS and Pine Forest HS did great in the relay races by capturing a top three finish in both of those events. Announcement of the Champion sparked an emotional response throughout the audience. Friday evening, fifteen cadets from each school file into the academic testing room with their heads spinning after cramming as much knowledge as possible into their brains. As cadets filed out of the testing room with sweat on their brows and a glazed look in their eyes, everyone realized this was the hardest test in recent years. In the past, the highest score on the Navy Nationals Academic Exam was around 85-89. This year, the highest score was 68 out of 100. Only 10 cadets out of 375 received 60 or higher. Three of those cadets were from Flour Bluff HS and two from Troy HS, so it was no surprise that Flour Bluff took top placement with Troy HS only 10 points behind capturing the second place Academic Team trophy. Third, fourth, and fifth places went to Boca Raton HS, Northmont HS and Centennial HS, respectively. needed for the national championship, so consistent strength in all aspects of drill can help push a team to the top. Pine Forest HS edged their way to capturing the Overall Drill trophy by capturing second in Unarmed Basic and fourth in Color Guard, Armed Exhibition and Unarmed Exhibition. Boca Raton HS held their own and placed second overall in drill with second place in Armed and Unarmed Exhibition and third in Unarmed Basic. Troy HS rounded out the top three with four trophies of their own (2nd-Color Guard, 3rd-Armed Basic, 4th-Unarmed Basic, 5thUnarmed Exhibition). During the Awards Ceremony, Rear Admiral David Steindl, Commander, Naval Service Training Command spoke and then all of the trophies were awarded… except for the Overall top five that everyone was waiting for. 2010 overall champion Centennial HS cadets were on the edge of their seats hoping they had done enough to hold on to the title while last year’s runner up Shawnee Mission North HS was trying to calculate points to see if they would take home the “big” trophy this year. The answer came very quickly for Shawnee Mission North when they were called to receive fifth place overall. Next, the fourth place trophy was awarded to Pine Forest HS which seemed to surprise the cadets as they ran to the front to receive proof of their placement. Centennial HS was called next to receive the third place trophy, answering the question of a repeat win. When Troy HS was called as the Overall Runner-Up, the audience erupted and the cadets were ecstatic. But then, when the Navy JROTC National Champion was announced as Boca Raton HS, the entire hangar cheered and many gave a standing ovation to the school that had been so close to victory for so many years. For Boca Raton, this win was years, even decades in the making and truly well-deserved. Now that Boca Raton has finally tasted victory and took home the Holy Grail, they will not give it up easily. All units attending Navy Nationals next year need to work extra hard and train extra hours, because Boca is going to put up one heck of a fight to keep the spotlight of excellence firmly in south Florida. Saturday is devoted exclusively to the drill events. With all of the cadets, instructors and spectators moving between two hangars, excitement is all around and the performing cadets receive the admiration from everyone in attendance including general officers and visiting dignitaries. The five events, Armed Basic, Unarmed Basic, Color Guard (held on Friday), Armed Exhibition and CDR Ken Bingham with Boca Raton HS embraces his cadets with Unarmed Exhibition combined overwhelming emotion when they learn they have finally won the coveted account for 36% of the overall total title of Overall Champions at the 2011 Navy Nationals competition. 9 Raider Nationals Cadets Prove That PAIN Just Lets Them Know They’re Not DEAD Yet! The Official U.S. Army JROTC Raider National Championships Train to become a U.S. Army 2LT in two years Education and experience valued at $54,000 Call today to learn about generous scholarships First year Early Commissioning Program Cadets earn $450 per month Guard or Reserve pay through Simultaneous Membership Program Georgia Military College Army ROTC www.gmc.cc.ga.us 478-387-4931 [email protected] Georgia Military College is a Department of the Army designated Military Junior College. The College has accepted a mission of developing military leaders and utilizes the Corps of Cadets for this purpose. The Corps is a semi-autonomous, self-governing body that provides military structure and discipline for all Cadets. This is your official invitation to attend the finest, most highly respected and most talent-laden all-service JROTC event in the world, the... 2012 NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL Introduction Sports Network International is pleased to provide this invitation to all precision drill units to attend the 30 th annual National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. This event is open to all Junior ROTC units and select other military-style programs competing in Armed & Unarmed divisions. This is your school’s official invitation to enter the nation’s finest drill & ceremony competition, referred to worldwide as simply “The Nationals.” Schools will never experience a more majestic and remarkable drill event than this. The National High School Drill Team Championships remains the most coveted drill destination in the world. Schools travel from across the U.S. to attend this all-service drill spectacular. Schools considering entry into the Nationals should make plans early as competition spaces are limited to roughly 50 schools at the Masters Level; 55 schools at the Challenge Level; and 35 schools within the Open Level Color Guard event. Sports Network International, Inc. (SNI) serves as the Event Manager for The Nationals. The National High School Drill Team Championships are proudly sponsored by the U.S. Army Cadet Command. Competition Guidelines All units may use their own service regulations to compete at the NHSDTC. Where their manual is not specific, Armed Divisions use US Army FM 3-21.5 while the Unarmed Divisions use US Air Force FM 36-2203 (1996). The variety of services that gain top finishes at Daytona is a testament to the fairness of this drill event. The event SOP is listed on the event website early in the school year. Schools having specific questions regarding the event should contact SNI before applying for entry. Event Judging All judges at the NHSDTC maintain a strong background in military drill. Judges are fully qualified military personnel representing all four branches of the service. Judges are given extensive judging manuals in advance of the event, as well as a full on-site briefing on the eve of the competition. The Nationals’ judges are extremely motivated and give a 110% effort. This remains a major reason why so many teams look to end their drill season at “The World’s Most Famous Beach.” 12 Competition Events The NHSDTC maintains two competition levels. The Challenge Level event is designed for drill teams who wish to be part of the Nationals experience while competing against similarly talented schools at a less intense skill level than the Masters Level. The Challenge Level maintains Armed (demilitarized weapons only) & Unarmed divisions. All schools are also encouraged to consider entering “standalone” Color Guard units into the exciting Open Level Color Guard competition also held on Saturday during the Challenge Level event. The Masters Level event brings the finest drill programs in the nation together to compete within three separate divisions. Teams using standard full-weight rifles compete in the Demilitarized Arms Division. Teams without weapons enter the Unarmed Division. The Alternative/Mixed Division is for teams with lightweight weapons (regardless of gender), for all-female teams (regardless of weapon type) and in 2012, for many mixed teams (see SOP for details). CHALLENGE LEVEL EVENTS N Unit Inspection (12 + Cmdr.) N Platoon/Flight Regulation (12 + Cmdr.) N Color Guard (4-person only - w/arms) N Team Exhibition (9 cadets & over) (Squad or Platoon Formation is acceptable) MASTERS LEVEL EVENTS NHSDTC Event Specifics The National High School Drill Team Championships are held at the impressive Ocean Center Arena in Daytona Beach, Florida in late Spring every year. This state-of-the-art facility features permanent seating for over 6,000 with outstanding amenities for a drill competition the size and prestige of the Nationals. The Ocean Center also features a complete concession area and ample bus parking. All instructors and cadets who attend the Nationals will attest that the Ocean Center remains the most exceptional drill & ceremony facility currently in use in the United States. Schools are housed in Daytona Beach at one of 20+ oceanfront hotels located within 10 minutes of the Ocean Center Arena. They provide quality & affordable billeting for every Nationals team. SNI will also offer schools the ability to choose an Upgrade Hotel Package Plan at one of several select premium hotels. The Headquarters for the event is the Hilton Oceanwalk Resort. Located directly across the street from the Ocean Center, the Hilton is an oasis which will provide exceptional billeting for the few schools selected to stay in this luxury hotel environment. Schools requesting a specific hotel should contact SNI directly. Schools may enter multiple complete teams in different divisions at the Nationals as long as no cadet competes for more than one team. Therefore, schools entering both an armed and unarmed team may do so, but the two teams must have separate cadets for each team. This rule allows maximum cadet participation without adding multiple school entries utilizing the same cadets. All Challenge schools must be in town by Friday to attend the NHSDTC Commander’s Call the evening prior to their competition. At this meeting, all teams are presented their competition schedules and receive a short briefing by NHSDTC Competition Director, Justin Gates. The Challenge & Open Level events will be held on Saturday, May 5th, with the two-day Masters Level competition held on Sunday & Monday, May 6th & 7th. Both competition levels feature Knockout Drills at the conclusion of the judging and an Awards Ceremony in the evening following the competition. All Masters Level Armed units are allowed one entry (per team) in both Solo & Dual Exhibition. Unarmed Masters units can enter one pair in Unarmed Dual Ex. *Select Challenge Level cadets may also be accepted into these events! Teams can petition for a 2nd entry slot if desired. Also, ALL CADETS are urged to compete in their level’s Armed & Unarmed Knockout Drills. NOTE: No “knockout fee” is charged to participate in this event. Awards and Trophies The Nationals features unparalleled trophies & awards. National Championship and National Runner-Up trophies are awarded in all competition divisions - Demilitarized Arms, Unarmed and Alternative/Mixed (at the Masters Level); Armed & Unarmed (at the Challenge Level). The impressiveness of these trophies remains legendary within the Junior ROTC drill community! N Unit Inspection (12 + Cmdr.) N Platoon/Flight Regulation (12 + Cmdr.) N Color Guard (4-person only - w/arms) N Squad/Element Exhibition (8+ Cmdr.) N Platoon/Flight Exhibition (13 & over) N Solo & Dual Exhibition Cadets Challenge Level Event/Open Level Color Guard: Saturday, May 5th Masters Level Event: Sunday-Monday, May 6th-7th DRILL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS Team events in all competition divisions are trophied in 1st-5th place. All schools competing for a Championship (schools entering every team event in a division) will receive a personalized NHSDTC plaque to commemorate their quest at Daytona. The Masters Level division maintains both Solo & Dual Exhibitions for all armed teams and Dual Exhibition for unarmed teams. Regulation Cadet Commanders at both the Masters & Challenge Levels also compete for Commander’s Trophies. These individual trophies are awarded in 1st-5th place. Top finishers in all Armed & Unarmed Knockout Drills will receive a hand-painted medallion. Costs to Attend All schools choosing to attend the National High School Drill Team Championships must attend through the Team Package Plan. This plan is designed to ensure all cadets and instructors are given the enjoyment of staying together in superb oceanfront hotels with other schools from across the country, provided with treasured event mementos, as well as ensuring all schools receive the finest drill event they have ever attended at an affordable cost. Team Package Plan Includes: Four days & three nights billeting in one of several oceanfront hotels in Daytona Beach NHSDTC bronze medallion on a chest ribbon NHSDTC collared sports-shirt for adults or t-shirt for cadets, both ordered to size Swiss-embroidered four-inch patch designed exclusively for the NHSDTC 8” X 10” color team photograph The price of the Team Package Plan, based on staying four-to-a-room, is only $125.00 per person for the full 4-day/3-night package. Challenge level schools have the option to stay in a 2-night package for only $109.00 per person. Three, two & one to-a-room prices are slightly higher, utilized primarily for instructors & other adult team followers. Schools interested in Deluxe billets should contact SNI ASAP or check the website for those upgraded rates. All participants (cadets, chaperones & instructors) are required to attend the NHSDTC through this Team Package Plan to ensure all event costs are fully covered. Parents and other team followers MAY attend through the package plan, but this is optional. Registration Fee The School Registration Fee for Nationals entry is $300 for the Masters Level, $200 for the Challenge Level and $50 per team for the Open Level Color Guard or stand-alone solo/ dual exhibition entrants. Schools wishing to enter multiple teams in multiple competition levels should contact SNI for details. This event Registration Fee is completely refundable if requested before Friday, December 2nd, 2011, but non-refundable once a school has been accepted for entry into the Nationals. This ensures that only those schools who are fully committed to attend the event occupy a valuable competition slot with the many other fantastic drill programs attending. To Register for the NHSDTC NEW THIS YEAR: To register your school for the Nationals, complete the online NHSDTC Registration Form located at: http://myschool.thenationals.net - if you choose to mail your registration fee, your school is not considered registered until the fee has been received. Schools unsure of which competition level they should enter should contact SNI before submitting their School Registration. SELECTION PROCESS: All registrations will be accumulated and reviewed by the SNI Competition Committee beginning on Friday, December 2nd, 2011. SNI will evaluate all entries on their merits and decide which schools will be accepted. This judgment will be based on many factors but the largest of these include: Overall team strength in past Nationals performances as well as other regional drill meets you have attended. Teams looking to capture an Overall Championship (complete teams entering all team events within a division) are given preference over partial teams. Geographic spread, service diversity, gungho nature & previous entry attempts are all very strong points considered by SNI. While most returning schools to the Nationals register within weeks of receiving DrillNATION magazine and this invitation, a few schools wait. Historically, demand to enter the Nationals causes the event to be nearly full by this date. Schools registering after the December 2nd review deadline will have a smaller chance of getting into the Nationals. Any “standby slots” available after this date are available on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. Additional Registration Info Schools accepted for entry will be listed on the SNI website by Tuesday, December 6th. Any school not accepted will have their entry fee refunded within 10 business days. All checks should be made payable and sent to Sports Network International at the address listed below. Schools may contact SNI by email BUT all paperwork should be sent through the mail or submitted via our state-of-the-ar t website. In Closing We invite all teams, especially those who have considered attending in the past, to look at attending the 2012 Nationals. Your drill team’s attendance will become the highlight of your school year, giving focus and purpose to your drill season. It provides a strong means of attracting interest in your program from within your community and will give your school and drill unit the national notoriety and incredible learning experience that they richly deserve. The Nationals is renowned for the strong teams who annually attend. With the availability of the Challenge & Open Level competitions, schools of all talent levels now look to become a part of the exciting & memorable Nationals experience. Mostly, a trip to the Nationals will give your cadets, parents and staff a great experience to reflect upon for the rest of their lives. The Nationals is the ultimate reward for a long year of hard work and dedication. Veterans of the Nationals will attest that no other drill meet compares with the National High School Drill Team Championships. The overall talent, all-service flavor and vast geographic spread of teams attending the Nationals give this drill event an unparalleled atmosphere of drill excellence! We at SNI wish your program and your cadets the best of luck this school year and we hope to see your school in Daytona Beach, Florida this May at the 30th Anniversary of “The Nationals!” For additional information: Event Manager Sports Network International, Inc. 775 Fentress Boulevard Daytona Beach, Florida 32114 800/327-9311 386/274-1919 website: http://drill.thenationals.net email: [email protected] 13 NHSDTC Challenge Level Event Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force JROTC units all ended up at the top showing the true diversity of champions that the Nationals Challenge Level seems to produce annually. Norview High School from Norfolk, Virginia performs within the Color Guard competition during the long day of Challenge Level competition. T .he Challenge Level competition is one area where sequentially repeating championships are not possible. The top two teams in both divisions are required to move up to the Masters Level which always leaves room for a new champion every year. Many teams are strong in one event or another, but it takes true consistency in all events to take a place at the top. ARMED DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS Four years ago, no one at The Nationals had ever heard of Ben Davis HS from Indianapolis, Indiana. But in those four short years the Golden Eagles have powered their way to the top of the Challenge Level, separating themselves from the rest of the competition by more than 500 points. The Marine Corps JROTC cadets aced both Inspection and Exhibition and showed their overall consistency in all things drill by placing fifth in Color Guard and sixth in Regulation. They will be testing their strength against the veteran teams in the Masters Level in 2012. Out of the 38 teams, St. John’s Northwestern MA from Delafield, Wisconsin took home the Runner-Up trophy even though they only received a third place in Regulation and a fourth place in Exhibition. The Silver Rifles didn’t trophy in Inspection or Color Guard, but their scores were consistently high enough to keep them firmly planted in the second place position overall. Several teams captured two trophies each showing they are working on their overall drill strength and may be next year’s Overall Champion in this division. United South HS South Panther Rifles from Laredo, Texas ranked third overall and took home second place in Regulation and third in Inspection. The Recon Tigers from Mexico HS from New York captured second in Inspection and fourth in Regulation while Maryland natives Oxon Hill HS Execution took second in Color Guard and fourth in Inspection. The only other team placing in the top five in two events was Florida’s Clearwater HS Tornadoes that took home third in Exhibition and fifth in Regulation. Other notable finishes were on display from the Bulldogs from Okkodo HS, the first school ever to attend The Nationals from Guam, who aced the Regulation event and the always powerful Everglades HS Armed Gators from Everglades, Florida who took first place in the tough Color Guard competition. 14 UNARMED DIVISION HIGHLIGHTS In the Unarmed Division it became a two-horse race between the Gold Tigers from Smith-Cotton HS in Sedalia, Missouri and Prairie HS Fighting Falcons from Battle Ground, Washington. The Gold Tigers almost had the championship by a landslide with first place in Inspection and Exhibition and second in Regulation, but a disappointing thirteenth place in Color Guard opened the door for their nearest competitor. Although Prairie HS only had one first place (Color Guard), their overall consistency in all events (4th-Inspecion, 5th-Exhibition, 7th-Regulation) put them only fifty-two points shy of Smith-Cotton. So the Gold Tigers took home the Overall Unarmed Championship title and the Fighting Falcons received the RunnerUp trophy. Both of these teams will have their work cut out for them in the alwaystough Masters Unarmed Division next year. The remaining trophies awarded went to eleven different teams, showing again that consistent performance is the only way to push your team to the top. The Legion Drill Team Too from Lakeside HS in Evans, Georgia captured second Keynote speaker, Colonel Hubert E. Bagley, Director of Army JROTC poses with the top in Color Guard and third in Exhibition and even winners in the Challenge Level of the Nationals. (from left to right) Prairie HS Fighting Falcons, with poor performances in the other two events, Unarmed Runner-Up, Smith-Cotton HS Gold Tigers, Unarmed Champion, Ben Davis HS Golden they found themselves in third place overall. Eagles, Armed Champion, and St. John’s Northwestern MA Silver Rifles, Armed Runner-Up. 2011 OPEN LEVEL COLOR GUARD COMPETITION This competition is ALWAYS EXCITING as seasoned color guard units from across the nation mix with brand new units giving the event a shoot-out flavor. The Open Level Color Guard event is unique at The Nationals in that the overall strength of the team is not a qualifying factor for entry. Color Guards of all talent levels compete together and schools are allowed to enter more than one Color Guard within this popular event. Other strong performances were turned in by The Olympians from Wichita South HS with a first place in Regulation and fourth place in Color Guard and the South Lady Panthers from United South HS who placed fourth in Regulation and fifth in Inspection. The Tomcats from East Aurora HS took second in Exhibition and the Lady Knights from Evans HS captured second in Inspection. This year, both Pulaski County HS from Somerset, Kentucky and Alamo Heights HS from San Antonio, Texas entered two Color Guard units and once they hit the floor, the fight was on! Alamo Heights Mulettes won first place in this event in 2010 and were hoping to retain their title but Pulaski County had the Texas teams in their sights. With the top two teams being pushed to the Masters Level, the field will be wideopen for any team that puts in the practice in every event and shows all-over strength. Four out of the five trophies awarded went to these two schools, showing that their hours of practice perfecting the ultimate drill and ceremonies presentation really paid off. Every year, several competitive programs that apply for the Challenge Level are not accepted for entry due to the volume of teams that apply. Any school that plans to attend the NHSDTC should make sure to register before the early December deadline. Details can be found on pages 12 & 13 including where to find the online registration form. Good luck to all schools during your 2011-2012 drill season. The Alamo Heights Mulettes retained their place at the top capturing first place again with their male counterparts, the Mules, close behind in third place. The Maroons from Pulaski County walked away with second place while their sister team, the Maroon Guard, took fourth. Never before have two schools so deftly dominated this event. Fifth place was awarded to the Chargers from North Miami Beach Sr. HS from Florida. The Chargers separated themselves from their nearest competition by a full 30 points. In 2012, it will be interesting to see if either school will be able to hang on to their elite placements as the rest of the competition field will be fighting hard to displace them. Interested in competing against scores of color guards from across the country? Be sure to apply early to nail down a spot in this highly competitive division. Entry spaces are limited to approximately 45 teams, so don’t hesitate when applying to get in on the action! For full scoring results of this year’s Nationals, be sure to go online to DrillNATION.net and check out the “Scoring Results” section. WANT MORE IN DEPTH SCORING REPORTS? GET EXCLUSIVE CONTENT AND THE FULL RESULTS ON THE NET’S ONLY SOCIAL COMMUNITY DEVOTED TO JROTC DRILL! www.DrillNation.net 2011 National High School Drill Team Championships Challenge Level Attendees & Event Standings Armed Division Inspection Ben Davis HS Mexico HS United South HS Oxon Hill HS Forestville MA Golden Eagles Recon Tigers South Panther Rifles Execution Black Knights Bainbridge HS 877 800 759 721 711 Regulation Okkodo HS Bulldogs 885 United South HS South Panther Rifles 838 St. John’s NW MA Silver Rifles 834 Mexico HS Recon Tigers 833 Clearwater HS Tornadoes 799 Navy JROTC Wilmington, Delaware Belleview HS Dutchtown HS Air Force JROTC Bellevue, Florida Ben Davis HS Benedictine HS East Aurora HS Army JROTC Richmond, Virginia Blythewood HS Team Exhibition Ben Davis HS Golden Eagles Lakeside HS Legion Drill Team Clearwater HS Tornadoes St. John’s NW MA Silver Rifles St. Lucie West HS Black Talon Drill Team Central Crossing 930 HS Navy JROTC 904 Grove City, Ohio 792 748 738 Clearwater HS 821 Caddo Parish 820 Magnet HS 817 Army JROTC 801 Shreveport, Louisiana Overall Armed Runner-up St. John’s Northwestern MA - Silver Rifles Gulfport HS Marine Corps JROTC Gulfport, Mississippi Jackson County HS Montgomery Central HS Coffee HS Everglades HS Army JROTC Miramar, Florida Flandreau Indian School Army JROTC Flandreau, S. Dakota Forestville MA Army JROTC Forestville, Maryland Gloucester HS Navy JROTC Douglas, Georgia Marine Corps JROTC Gloucester, Massachusetts Norview HS Passaic HS 897 845 806 797 792 Regulation Wichita South HS Smith-Cotton HS North Point HS United South HS T.C. Williams HS The Olympians Gold Tigers Unarmed Eagles South Lady Panthers Armageddon 882 871 870 868 859 Color Guard Prairie HS Fighting Falcons 1021 Lakeside HS Legion Drill Team Too 1013 Kenwood HS Golden Knights 997 Wichita South HS The Olympians 995 Oxon Hill HS Blue Guard 943 Team Exhibition Smith-Cotton HS Gold Tigers 864 East Aurora HS Unarmed Tomcats *844 Lakeside HS Legion Drill Team Too 844 Gloucester HS Scarlet Thunder 823 Prairie HS Fighting Falcons 794 Overall Unarmed Champion Smith-Cotton HS - Gold Tigers Overall Unarmed Runner-up Prairie HS - Fighting Falcons St. Lucie West Centennial HS Wagener-Salley HS Navy JROTC Passaic, New Jersey Navy JROTC Port St. Lucie, Florida Army JROTC Wagener, S.Carolina Monticello HS Okkodo HS Prairie HS T.C. Williams HS West Charlotte HS Kenwood HS Murphy HS Army JROTC Clarksville, Tennessee Army JROTC Mobile, Alabama Lakeside HS North Desoto HS Army JROTC Stonewall, Louisiana Marine Corps JROTC Dededo, Guam Air Force JROTC Battle Ground, Washington Army JROTC Alexandria,Virginia Army JROTC Charlotte, N.Carolina Osceola HS Air Force JROTC Osceola, Arkansas Ramsay HS Army JROTC Birmingham, Alabama Taylor County HS Army JROTC Perry, Florida West Orange HS Air Force JROTC Winter Garden, Florida Oxon Hill HS Smith-Cotton HS Thurgood Marshall HS Wichita South HS Army JROTC Hamlin, West Virginia North Point HS Air Force JROTC Waldorf, Maryland Air Force JROTC Oxon Hill, Maryland Mexico HS Northeast HS Papillion La Vista South HS Marine Corps JROTC Mexico, New York Evans HS Army JROTC Evans, Georgia Gold Tigers Lady Knights Unarmed Gators Fighting Falcons South Lady Panthers Navy JROTC Norfolk, Virginia Air Force JROTC Charlottesville, Virginia Lincoln County HS Marine Corps JROTC Clearwater, Florida Navy JROTC Aurora, Illinois Unarmed Division Inspection Smith-Cotton HS Evans HS Everglades HS Prairie HS United South HS Army JROTC Cunningham, Tennessee Army JROTC Jefferson, Georgia Army JROTC Evans, Georgia Duval HS Air Force JROTC Lanham, Maryland Army JROTC Blythewood, S.Carolina 865 Ben Davis HS - Golden Eagles Air Force JROTC Hampton, Georgia Marine Corps JROTC Indianapolis, Indiana Color Guard Everglades HS Armed Gators Oxon Hill HS Execution Montgomery Central HS Warrior Guard Wichita South HS Iron Titan Battalion Ben Davis HS Golden Eagles Overall Armed Champion Delaware MA Air Force JROTC Bainbridge, Georgia Army JROTC Clarksville, Tennessee Navy JROTC Papillion, Nebraska Army JROTC Sedalia, Missouri St. John’s Northwestern MA Army JROTC Delafield, Wisconsin Army JROTC Dayton, Ohio United South HS Marine Corps JROTC Laredo, Texas Army JROTC Wichita, Kansas Wilbur D. Mills HS Army JROTC Little Rock, Arkansas CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE SCHOOLS WHO MADE UP THE CHALLENGE LEVEL COMPETITION! 15 The Superbowl of Drill Element Exhibition which convincingly landed the Blue Aces with the National Championship Runner-Up trophy. Flour Bluff HS Sea Hawks did take the stage once as they received the first place Regulation trophy and Francis Lewis HS Patriot Pride walked away with first in Element Exhibition, second in Flight Exhibition and fifth in Inspection. demilitarized Division HIGHLIGHTS The Demilitarized Arms Division is always exciting and the sheer number of incredibly talented teams captivates spectators as they watch the masters in motion. With 27 schools competing within this division, many wondered if Francis Lewis HS would be able to “three-peat” as National Champions. Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks and Francis Lewis HS Patriot Guard enjoy a repeat victory in their divisions, but the Blue Angels from Douglas MacArthur HS took a stroll to the stage for the Those questions were quickly answered as the Patriot Guard from very first time to claim the Unarmed Division National Championship. Football has the Super Bowl, Soccer has the World Cup, Sailing has the America’s Cup... JROTC Drill has The Nationals! For high school JROTC cadets, there is no level of achievement greater than winning the National Championship trophy at the National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. Even though in some high schools, JROTC is considered an elective class and Drill Team is considered an “activity” as opposed to a “sport” the athletes that compete at The Nationals each May prove that not only is Drill a sport, it is at times an art form! Alternative Arms - Mixed Division HIGHLIGHTS Making their 12th consecutive trek to the stage to claim the National Title in the Alternative Arms division was the famous Lady Leathernecks from Fern Creek HS in Louisville, Kentucky. These Marine Corps JROTC cadets never fail to impress the judges with their precision and strength as they power through their routines like a well-oiled machine. The challenge when watching the Lady Leathernecks is to try and find any error or mis-step, they are seemingly flawless in their execution. Their only stumble this year was in the Regulation event where they placed second instead of first. Each year in this division, there are hopefuls that try to steal the throne from Fern Creek but few ever come close. This year the fight for the Runner-Up trophy was between the Lady Redhawks from Seneca HS and the Black Tigers from Smith-Cotton HS. Both teams were very strong placing in four out of the five events. The Lady Redhawks prevailed as they claimed second in Color Guard, third in Regulation and Platoon Exhibition and fourth in Inspection. Only 17 points behind, Smith-Cotton took home first in Regulation, third in Squad Exhibition, fourth in Platoon Exhibition, and fifth in Inspection. Unarmed Division HIGHLIGHTS The Unarmed Division has belonged to Flour Bluff HS for so many years that everyone was shocked when Francis Lewis HS took it away last year and with the overall strength of Francis Lewis, it appeared that they might be ready to move in and set up house in the top spot. But last year’s third place overall team, the Blue Angels from Douglas MacArthur HS had something to say about that! Fresh Meadows, New York took the floor and aced the Inspection and Regulation events then captured third in Color Guard and fourth in Squad Exhibition. Although they ranked eighth in Platoon Exhibition, they still domintated enough that the Demilitarized National Championship was theirs for the third consecutive year. Rumors began to fly as to whether or not Francis Lewis was beginning a new decade’s dynasty of drill. The fight for the Runner-Up slot came down to two teams separated by only 14 points in the final overall proportional scores. The Flanagan Rifles from Marmion Academy dazzled the crowd with their amazing first-place performances in both Element Exhibition and Platoon Exhibition. Although they only placed in these two events, they were a stone’s throw away from being in the top two. The Blue Guard from Douglas MacArthur HS showed that overall consistency is the key as they placed second in Color Guard, third in Regulation and Platoon Exhibition and fourth in Inspection. Their seventh place finish in Squad Exhibition did not hinder their efforts as they claimed the Demilitarized Division National Championship Runner-Up title. Although most of the top five placements went to the top three schools, there were several other stand-out performances. John Jay HS Silver Eagles, last year’s RunnerUp, placed second in both Regulation and Platoon Exhibition and fifth in Squad Exhibition. Seneca HS Redhawks took first in Color Guard and McKinley HS Tiger Battalion from Hawaii snagged second in Squad Exhibition even with a 50 point penalty for participating with less than 9 cadets. The 2011 National High School Drill Team Championships was an amazing experience and teams have already started their early-morning practices, lunch-time walk-throughs, after-school analysis and weekend drill camps in an effort to be THE team that takes it all the way to the top in 2012. The Nationals will again be held at the spectacular Ocean Center Arena and Conference Center on May 5th-7th, 2012. The Blue Angels came ready to kick butt and take names as they were the only team to capture a top five placement in every event. Their five trips to the stage to receive their first place in Color Guard and Flight Exhibition, second place in Element Exhibition and third place in Inspection and Regulation left no doubt they were the new Overall Champion of the Unarmed Division. The question is whether or not they will be able to hang onto their title in 2012. Second place overall went to a school that as of two years ago, was virtually unknown and had never attended The Nationals. In 2010, they showed themselves by capturing first place in Regulation and left everyone wondering where they came from. But this year, Brandeis HS from San Antonio made sure that everyone knew their name as they claimed second place in Inspection and Regulation and fifth in Color Guard and 16 Masters Awards Ceremony attendees were treated to an amazingly powerful performance by Hawaii’s Kings Guard Drill Team on stage in front of the beautiful Nationals trophies. 20 National High School Drill Team Championships 11 Masters Level Event Standings All raw score totals are based on a maximum 1200 points per event Demilitarized Arms Inspection Francis Lewis HS Patriot Guard Fern Creek HS Leathernecks Flour Bluff HS Sea Devils Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Guard George Bush HS The President’s Own Unarmed 925 864 819 796 787 Regulation Francis Lewis HS Patriot Guard 944 John Jay HS Silver Eagles *869 Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Guard 869 Rahway HS Devil Pups 837 George Bush HS The President’s Own 834 Color Guard Seneca HS Redhawks Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Guard Francis Lewis HS Patriot Guard Winter Springs HS Bears George Bush HS The President’s Own Squad Exhibition Marmion Academy McKinley HS Flour Bluff HS Francis Lewis HS John Jay HS Flanagan Rifles Tiger Battalion Sea Devils Patriot Guard Silver Eagles 861 841 836 803 772 985 946 909 889 885 Platoon Exhibition Marmion Academy Flanagan Rifles 1027 John Jay HS Silver Eagles 964 Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Guard 960 Fern Creek HS Leathernecks 930 Rahway HS Devil Pups 918 Colts Neck HS Pride of Colts Neck 1026 Brandeis HS Blue Aces 1019 Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Angels 1000 Lynn English HS Lady Bulldogs 991 Francis Lewis HS Patriot Pride 982 Regulation Flour Bluff HS Sea Hawks Brandeis HS Blue Aces Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Angels Winston Churchill HS Queen’s Guard Lynn English HS Lady Bulldogs 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Barbosa & Barbosa - John Jay HS Bodie & Blizzard - Wagener-Salley HS Woods & Stich - Seneca HS Grahovec & Loehmann - Marmion Academy Overton & Ray - Wagener-Salley HS 18 Dual Exhibition Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks 1004 Winter Springs HS Golden Bears 927 Airport HS Golden Talons 907 Seneca HS Lady Redhawks 902 Smith-Cotton HS Black Tigers 901 Regulation Smith-Cotton HS Black Tigers Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks Seneca HS Lady Redhawks Winter Springs HS Golden Bears Bellevue West HS Lady Thunderbirds Color Guard Element Exhibition Squad Exhibition Flight Exhibition Platoon Exhibition Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Angels 999 North Miami Beach Sr. HS Lady Chargers 989 Sandalwood HS Silver Eagles 980 Winston Churchill HS Queen’s Guard 968 Brandeis HS Blue Aces 966 Francis Lewis HS Patriot Pride 1026 Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Angels 984 Winston Churchill HS Queen’s Guard 968 Theodore Roosevelt HS Riderettes 959 Brandeis HS Blue Aces 957 Douglas MacArthur HS Blue Angels 1192 Francis Lewis HS Patriot Pride 1172 Lynn English HS Lady Bulldogs 1152 Bellevue West HS T-Birds 1150 Lackey HS Ladies of Destruction 1138 Champion: Francis Lewis HS - Patriot Guard Runner-up: Douglas MacArthur HS - Blue Guard Solo Exhibition Cadet Hawkins - W.T. Woodson HS Cadet White - West Forsyth HS Cadet Kalogeropoulos - Independent NY Cadet Rolfe - Lafayette Sr. HS Cadet Carcamo - Independent TX 998 983 979 966 960 Inspection Color Guard Demilitarized Arms Champions 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Alternative Arms Inspection 2011 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 977 902 846 822 763 Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks *934 J.H. Reagan HS Reagan Riflettes 934 Smith-Cotton HS Black Tigers 891 Bellevue West HS Lady Thunderbirds 871 Carroll HS Golden Knights 849 Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks 906 J.H. Reagan HS Reagan Riflettes 882 Seneca HS Lady Redhawks *872 Smith-Cotton HS Black Tigers 872 Bellevue West HS Lady Thunderbirds 826 Alternative Arms Champions Champion: Fern Creek HS - Lady Leathernecks Runner-up: Seneca HS - Lady Redhawks Solo Exhibition Unarmed Champions Champion: Douglas MacArthur HS - Blue Angels Runner-up: Brandeis HS - Blue Aces 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Fern Creek HS Lady Leathernecks Seneca HS Lady Redhawks West Creek HS Coyote Pride Winter Springs HS Golden Bears Airport HS Golden Talons 952 940 890 866 858 1st Cadet Nickell - Summerlin Academy 2nd Cadet Hooks - GA Military College Prep HS 3rd Cadet Jones - Winter Springs HS Dual Exhibition Dual Exhibition Angel & Hernandez - Lynn English HS Gao & Lui - Francis Lewis HS Maldonado & Vazquez - John Jay HS Holmes & Myers - Forestville MA Skloss & Hunter - Claudia Taylor Johnson HS 1 Biggs & Nickell - Summerlin Academy 2nd Chance & Compton - Bellevue West HS 3 rd Beberwyk & Reep - Bellevue West HS st 2011 MASTERS LEVEL PARTICIPANTS Ronald Reagan High School Airport High School Schools of Excellence Army JROTC Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas West Columbia, S.Carolina 2011 ALL-SERVICE JUDGING CORPS Rossview High School Bellevue West High School Air Force JROTC Bellevue, Nebraska Army JROTC Clarksville, Tennessee Ben Davis High School Marine Corps JROTC Indianapolis, Indiana Rutland High School Marine Corps JROTC Macon, Georgia Boca Raton High School Navy JROTC Boca Raton, Florida Sandalwood High School Air Force JROTC Jacksonville, Florida Bowie High School Navy JROTC Bowie, Maryland Seneca High School Marine Corps JROTC Louisville, Kentucky Brandeis High School Air Force JROTC San Antonio, Texas Smith-Cotton High School Army JROTC Sedalia, Missouri Carroll High School Army JROTC Ozark, Alabama Spring Valley School Air Force JROTC Columbia, South Carolina Clark High School Navy JROTC Las Vegas, Nevada Claudia Taylor Johnson High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas Coffee High School Navy JROTC Douglas, Georgia Colton High School Navy JROTC Colton, Georgia Judges listed from left to right, front row to back row: Army: SSG Michael Millarez, SFC Keith McIntosh, SSG Brad Johnson, SFC John Royalty, SFC Jason Fletcher, SFC George Simmons, SFC Jeri Pihlaja, SSG Jarrod Mendum; Marine Corps: SSgt Javier Jimenez, Capt Blake Jackson, SSgt Shawn Smart, SSgt David Diaz, SSgt Jorge Moreno, MSgt Richard Schultz, SSgt David Pedrianes, SSgt Julio Rapalo, MGySgt Andrew Johnson, Sgt Alexandria Perry, SSgt Jessica Barnes; Air Force: MSgt Francisco Araujo, TSgt Fabian Hollis, MSgt Herman Ybarra, SSgt Andrew Goligowski, MSgt Marcin Dziurawiec, SSgt Brian Selvidio, TSgt Keith Brooks, SSgt Scott Salamone; (Not Pictured: TSgt Julian McMeans) Navy: PO1 Alicia Stafford, CPO Hector Rivera, PO1 Desiree Black, PO2 Kody Connelly, CPO Ralph Godwin, PO1 Benjamin Midkiff, SCPO Anthony Rizi, CPO Joseph Obleton, SCPO Laveda Basford, PO1 Tiffany Ulrich, PO3 Maggie Garrett Summerlin Academy Army JROTC Bartow, Florida Theodore Roosevelt High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas Thurgood Marshall High School Army JROTC Dayton, Ohio Forestville Military Academy Army JROTC Forestville, Maryland James Madison High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas McKinley High School Army JROTC Honolulu, Hawaii Union High School Army JROTC Union, New Jersey Francis Lewis High School Army JROTC Fresh Meadows, New York John Jay High School Air Force JROTC San Antonio, Texas Morgan County High School Air Force JROTC Madison, Georgia W.T. Woodson High School Non-Affiliated Annandale, Virigina Freedom High School Navy JROTC Tampa, Florida Lackey High School Air Force JROTC Indian Head, Maryland Mount Dora High School Air Force JROTC Mount Dora, Florida Wagener-Salley High School Army JROTC Wagener, South Carolina Dutchtown High School Air Force JROTC Hampton, Georgia George Bush High School Navy JROTC Richmond, Texas Lafayette Sr. High School Air Force JROTC Wildwood, Missouri Norco High School Air Force JROTC Norco, California Waianae High School Army JROTC Waianae, Hawaii Evans High School Army JROTC Evans, Georgia Georgia Military College Prep High School Army JROTC Milledgeville, Georgia Lake Weir High School Army JROTC Ocala, Florida North Miami Beach Sr. High School Army JROTC N.Miami Beach, Florida West Broward High School Army JROTC Pembroke Pines, Florida Colts Neck High School Navy JROTC Colts Neck, New Jersey Douglas MacArthur High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas Everglades High School Army JROTC Miramar, Florida Fern Creek High School Marine Corps JROTC Louisville, Kentucky Fishburne Military School Army JROTC Waynesboro, Virginia Fleming Island High School Navy JROTC Fleming Island, Florida Flour Bluff High School Navy JROTC Corpus Christi, Texas Grant High School Army JROTC Dry Prong, Louisiana Hubbard High School Army JROTC Chicago, Illinois Lancaster High School Army JROTC Lancaster, Texas Leesburg High School Air Force JROTC Leesburg, Florida Independent Soloist Non-Affiliated Long Island City, New York Lincoln-Way East High School Air Force JROTC Frankfort, Illinois Independent Soloist Non-Affiliated Houston, Texas J.H. Reagan High School Army JROTC Houston, Texas North Salem High School Army JROTC Salem, Oregon Pulaski County High School Army JROTC Somerset, Kentucky West Creek High School Army JROTC Clarksville, Tennessee West Forsyth High School Army JROTC Clemmons, North Carolina Rahway High School Marine Corps JROTC Rahway, New Jersey Winston Churchill High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas Lynn English High School Marine Corps JROTC Lynn, Massachusetts Ringgold High School Amry JROTC Ringgold, Georgia Winter Springs High School Army JROTC Winter Springs, Florida Marmion Academy Army JROTC Aurora, Illinois Robert E. Lee High School Army JROTC San Antonio, Texas Xavier High School Army JROTC New York, New York S p o r t s N e t w o r k I n t e r n a t i o n a l e x t e n d s o u r s i n c e r e a ppreciation to every J R O TC i n s t r u c t o r w h o g o e s the extra mile for their cadets. No other program better prepares young people from all walks of life to become quality citizens. With honor and an unwavering commitment to excellence, these cadets will guide our nation throughout the 21st century. 19 NO BUCKS...NO BUCK ROGERS! Fundraising can be a career within a career for most JROTC instructors with strong competition teams. Gone are the days of JROTC HQs providing ample, THE 10 GOLDEN RULES OF FUNDRAISING stable funding for programs to feature their best and brightest in competition without the hassle of school fundraisers. The competitions often provide the lifetime memories cadets cherish. Hard-working cadets these days need to excel OFF the competition floor in fundraising just to show their excellence ON the floor. And while out-year budgets look better for JROTC in 2012-2013 and beyond, fundraising be it for Raider, Academics, Marksmanship or Drill - remains the mother’s milk for units to compete across town, across state, or at National competitions like service championships or the NHSDTC. After talking with hundreds of instructors now for over 25 years, it is quite apparent that few things about fundraising are “one size fits all.” What works at Xavier High School in New York City may not work or be needed in cities with a single traffic light like Grant High School in Dry Prong, Louisiana. Knowing your kids, your program, and your community as a whole goes a long way toward knowing what fundraisers will be right for your program. SNI has seen the handwriting on the wall and has become more proactive in assisting units with solid, reputable fundraising choices. Scores of schools have teamed with CountryMeats. We even included a meat stick with EVERY DrillNATION Magazine. They succeed because they are delicious, they are low cost, and they can be set-up to sell themselves all year long! Any of your team members or supporters own small businesses? Have concessions available at your varsity sports? Set-up a point of sale display and have a steady stream of program fundraising YEAR ROUND! Visit the www.CountryMeats.com website for full details. Digital Fundraising Ideas has taken JROTC by STORM through their partnership with SNI. If your JROTC needs money, these guys are pros at generating sponsorship support for college & high school programs (over $51 million during the last 8 years). The best part is they do almost all of the work for you! There is nothing for your cadets to sell. They charge a small fee, but that’s only paid WHEN they succeed at raising your program money. Just go to www.digitalfundraisingideas.com/JROTC for complete details. SNI has teamed with Gear-Up America to present a great win/ win fundraiser fueled by UnderArmour! Your cadets can raise cash and along with that, this fundraiser also provides UnderArmour gear for your team. Imagine your ability to BOTH gain needed funds for the program AND improve the professionalism and overall look of your team with UnderArmour warm-up and/or training gear. Other youth sports have been a part of this fundraiser for years. For full details on this program, contact coordinator Justin Rountree at 865/250-8245 or [email protected]. Rule 1: Know Your Donors: Good fundraising is the treatment & cultivation of donors and the ability to ask them to support your organization in proportion to their ability to give. The urgent need for your program is to know your donors as well as you possibly can. Rule 2: Educate Your Donors: The old adage, “What people are not up on, they are down on.” Educate your supporters, because an educated donor is a happy donor. Education calms fears and improves communication. Rule 3: Believe In Your Cause and ASK for Support!: Do not be bashful about clearly articulating your needs and ASKING for support. People love to help someone who is working hard for their kids. And JROTC units looking to achieve a goal are a worthwhile target that you must believe in your heart people will support. Rule 4: Help Donors Find Personal Fulfillment: People want to make a difference. They are seeking personal fulfillment through supporting your cause. The easy part for them is - they only have to write a check. The hard part for you is coming up with a creative way to show the need for donations in a way that is also compelling to the perceived needs of the donor. Rule 5: Build Trusting Donor Relationships: A recent poll showed over 50% of Americans say they sense “deception” in marketing. Make your contact personal and free from hyperbole! All the marketing spin in the world will not make up for the smallest exaggeration of the truth in the minds of your donors. Rule 6: Respect Your Donors: There’s a world of difference between donor CARE and donor ATTENTION. An email thanks is nothing like a handshake, a hand-written note or even a phone call. Rule 7: Focus on Current Supporters: There is a high price to find a new donor but it’s free to keep an existing one. That’s why it’s so important to keep in touch with your current donors, and not just around the time you need money! Rule 8: Become “omnipresent” and “indispensible”: The smaller the community, the more important this becomes. Become a fixture at parades, civic meetings, government & religious functions, and local business events. Everyone needs to think of your program FIRST for color guard presentations, exhibition routines and other functions that your cadets can handle. Rule 9: Limit Your DOWNSIDE, and max your UPSIDE!: Every funding effort must be looked at from the cold perspective of limiting downside risk while maximizing your potential upside. Huge time investments, large upfront fees, and dated materials just to name a few items should send up warning flags in a fundraisier. Rule 10: Use a Variety of Different Fundraisers: Never become married to any ONE fundraiser. Many different fundraisers can be put in place simultaneously, especially for new fundraisers so you can better gauge their effectiveness and value to your program. Regardless of what fundraising effort you choose, for your cause to succeed, you need to find a lot of people who care about your effort. When you can get them to “buy in” and support what you are trying to do, their support will be committed and deep. With this, you may have earned yourself a lifetime supporter through any of the above programs! SNI hopes you will contact and learn about these SNI Preferred Fundraising Groups to see if they are a good fit for your program. If you work with these groups to raise money for your program to attend your Service Championships or the allservice NHSDTC in Daytona, tell us about your fundraising successes and we may feature it right here in DrillNATION! 20 “Absolutely the VERY FINEST PRODUCT fundraising opportunity available to JROTC units today!” Justin Gates, Competition Director Sports Network International, host of the National HS Drill Team Championships Smoked Snacks For Fundraising 1-800-277-8989 www.countrymeats.com [email protected] Proudly Brought To You By NHSDTC Event Manager Sports Network International http://www.digitalfundraisingideas.com/JROTC Sports Network International is once again pleased to offer the... National High School Drill Team Championships 2011 Best of Series DVDs Get complete details on-line at: http://videos.thenationals.net Whether you plan to utilize these videos for training or entertainment or both, for over two decades the Best of Series DVDs have remained the finest videos available for viewing and reviewing in all phases of the competition drill world. These videos are a necessity for every serious Junior ROTC unit wishing to stay on the cutting edge of military drill & ceremony excellence! “Best of the Nationals” DVD Series Order Form T hese two-hour DVDs are filmed exclusively at the famous National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. Three separate discs contain team performances and are made available in various drill phases. Each can be purchased individually or together for greater savings. School Name Instructor Name Service Affiliation Phone Address City State Zip Code Program or personal e-mail address - YES, PLEASE RUSH ME THE FOLLOWING VIDEOS ____ 2011 Best of Basic DVD...........................($35 ea.) $______ ____ 2011 Best of Armed Team Exhibition DVD.....($35 ea.) $______ ____ 2011 Best of Unarmed Team Exhibition DVD...($35 ea.) $______ ____ 2011 Best of Series SET-all 3-discs above*..($99) $_________ ____DEVOTED - 1995-2004 10-year retrospective - 2-disc set..($40) $_________ ____ ECHO - Tribute to the 25th Anniversary of the Nationals - 6-disc set.($129) $_________ ARCHIVE VIDEO PURCHASE (for older videos still available) Archive video availability/pricing is found on-line _______ ________________________________ $________ year title cost Shipping/Handling (per order) = $5.00 Total Order = $_________ *Go to the official NHSDTC Video website to learn how your cadets can get their own personal copy of these videos at greatly reduced prices! All DVDs are shot in very high quality. The discs focus on routine segments featuring a variety of team armed & unarmed drill styles. This allows scores of different schools displayed on each DVD. All videos are timeless, all-service examples of what solid instruction, hard work and dedication can accomplish on the drill deck. The skill levels displayed are amazing! The fastest and often least expensive way to buy these DVDs is to place the order on-line and pay with a credit card. However, you can also mail, email or fax this completed order form to SNI and then mail payment or charge by phone. Most orders ship within 48 hours. To fax this form and have immediate shipment of your order, please call with a credit card for payment. For more information about the Best of Series DVDs, including a list of all featured schools, please go to the on-line home of the NHSDTC Best of DVD Series located at the bottom of this page. A special DVD of Solo/Dual Armed Exhibition performances is available on our website. Mail/Fax to: Sports Network International 775 Fentress Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114 or email/fax this form to: email: [email protected] fax)386/274-1255 website: http://videos.thenationals.net 23 24 THE NEXT LEVEL OF DRILL "Our team has not been „Overall Winner‟ for a drill competition in over 8 years but because of the dedication to what you guys do you made us a born again Champion. Thanks a Million!" SFC Patrick Ferrell, (USA Ret.) Ivanna Eudora Kean High School “C-O is the difference in our Drill Team. 1st Place at State two years in a row. 4th at Air Force Nationals” -SMSgt. Don Doughty (USAF Ret.) E.C. Glass High School COMPETITIVE OUTCOMES Competitive Outcomes teaches championship proven strategies and drill execution techniques. C-O’ss instructors continue to push the evolution of competition drill with extremely aggressive, no no-nonsense drill training and competition preparation. All C-O Primary Instructors have National Championship backgrounds as well as extensive coaching experience. “Very impressed with the knowledge, skill level, and enthusiasm Competitive Outcomes brings to the fight. Thanks for bringing us the knowledge and skill required to win.” -MSgt. Tijerine (USMC Ret.) United South High School Train during the school year. Train During the summer. Train to win at every level. Competitive Outcomes comes to your unit to make success a reality and deliver customized onsite training, or your team can join others at our open training sessions nationwide. Check our website for upcoming Drill Camps and JROTC Instructor Seminars. We are proud to partner with Drill Leader - Sports Network International, Inc and announce ‘Drill Across America’ Coming in August of 2012. Please contact Justin Gates at [email protected] to find out how your school can be one of 18 all-service locations to host the biggest pre-season drill kick-off in history! ‘TRAINING YOU TO BE THE ELITE OF THE ELITE’ WWW.COMPETITIVE-OUTCOMES.COM [email protected] 25 S C R A P B O O K A Look Around the Nationals and JROTC Universe Florida Mayor Helps Save JROTC Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown announced he had raised more than $200,000 in private funds to help save four high school Junior ROTC programs from elimination. Brown said the gesture was an example of the power of publicprivate partnerships. The JROTC programs at Englewood, Mandarin, Raines and Wolfson high schools had been cut by the schools because of budget constraints. The cuts would affect about 500 students. U.S. Rep Andrew Crenshaw, R-FL, attended the announcement and stated he would work with military leaders in Washington to loosen the rules around JROTC programs to give schools more financial flexibility in running the programs. Sports Network & Competitive Outcomes Partner After years of working together informally to improve the quality of JROTC drill, Competitive Outcomes, the nation’s premiere on-site military drill training company and Sports Network have formally partnered to better extend the reach of this professional training organization. Along with logistical support, co-branding, and technical consultation, SNI and CO look forward to hosting the “Drill Across America” National training weekends just prior to the 2012-2013 school year in mid-to-late August. Want your school to host one of these amazing multi-day training camps, slated to be held in over a dozen cities across the United States? CALL SNI NOW to learn the details! Jean Weil Scholarship Winners Shine Selecting JUST TWO top NHSDTC graduating senior cadets as the most outstanding overall at the Nationals is a tough but fun job! However, this year once again, two cadets LEAPT to the top of most every board member’s selection chart. Stephen Dunn, Jr. from Bainbridge HS, Bainbridge, Georgia was selected, along with Alisa Ho from Francis Lewis HS, Fresh Meadows, New York (pictured left). Each received a $1,000 scholarship. To see the list of nominees and information on applying for the 2012 scholarship, please go to: http://jkw.thenationals.net. Membership Soars to Over 5,000... 7,500 Members Sought By 2012! The JROTC community is flocking to DrillNATION.net big time! This on-line universe maintains discussion groups, study materials, real-time chat and more. This makes DrillNATION.net the on-line home for many die-hard drillers worldwide. The goal is to have 7,500 members by January 1st, 2012! Have your cadets join today and be a part of the on-line fun! Ronald Reagan HS Captures Coveted Nationals Spirit Award Every year, SNI selects just one school that best embodies the spirit of the Nationals. Over many years SNI has recognized countless great programs, but in 2011 there was one program that stood out as rising above countless challenges while maintaining exceptional bearing and class. Under the direction of the Army SAI, LTC Paul Loveless, Ronald Reagan HS of San Antonio, Texas was awarded the Nationals Spirit Banner, shown at right with USACC JROTC Director COL Hubert Bagley presenting this award to drill team commander Miranda De Llano. Beyond drill superiority, their program continually seeks to improve the character and commitment of their cadets along with being a staunch supporter of all their fellow Texas teams! 2011 Isis World Drill Championships Without question, the 2011 ISIS event was by far the finest to date. The deepest talent pool, the most innovative routines, and the most crowd appeal made the event a thing of beauty at the Ocean Center. Sponsored by international drill supporter Abdul Al-Romaizan, the ISIS Drill Championships remain the pinnacle in drill excellence annually throughout the world! In the Solo Ex Division, when Sam Gozo came out of the competition chute, everyone thought the event was over. However, a tough drop left the door open with Matt Wendling edging Michael Renn for the Solo title. In the Dual Ex Division, Adam & Michael Renn solidly recaptured their championship title with Robert Satter & William Hyltin besting Aggies Justin Ghan and Justin Delaurier for 2nd and 3rd, respectively. Constantine H. Wilson (left with King’s Guard Director Paul Naki) was selected as the John Akeroyd Award winner as the driller who embodies spirit, heart and innovation in the world of competitive drill. Tornado Doesn’t Keep Ringgold from the Nationals! As much of their town lay in ruins on the heels of a devasting tornado that struck only days before, the cadets from Ringgold HS made the hard decision with supportive families to go ahead and travel to The Nationals to compete in the Open Level Color Guard event. They had to borrow uniforms when they arrived in Daytona Beach because their high school was partially destroyed. These brave cadets along with their instructor, SFC Joey Sisemore, all had friends that lost their homes and two of their classmates died in the storm. Their performance at the Nationals was their way to pay tribute to the community that had supported them over the past year. In the picture above, they all say a prayer for their small Georgia town before they take to the drill floor for what was the most inspiring performance of the year. Over 75,000 cadets & instructors from all walks of life have made themselves a part of the excitement & lifetime memories that are an annual part of the National High School Drill Team Championships While most competitors attend the NHSDTC with multiple drill teams, many attend with just a color guard unit, or some with only a solo or dual exhibition unit. To learn how you can be a part of this exciting event, go to the online home: http://drill.thenationals.net Make Your School a Part of the Big Show at the 30th Annual Nationals Event in 2012!